With the problem solved, the fifth elder's messenger left in despair, and the atmosphere in the birthday banquet hall became active again.
The protagonists of the birthday banquet were still the Long family father and son, but the scholar also got what he wanted.
Long Zhengqing promised in court that he would be rewarded with a new residence for his family, and he would also invite famous teachers for him, so that the Long family could take the path of doing business and being an official.
Although some people in the Long family are envious and jealous, more people are still happy to see this kind of talk.
They are all small people, and who doesn't want to see that ordinary person like himself rise to success through chance, coincidence and intelligence.
As long as that person is not someone close to you.
Bai Yunbian did not contact Xia Jingyun and Chen Fugui on his own initiative. He just praised and encouraged the scholar a few words in person, and made the other person's eyes red with gratitude, and then returned to the main hall to drink with satisfaction.
So everyone started the feast again, started drinking wine, and the laughter spread throughout Zhuangzi.
Although the gentry and young men in the main hall and the side hall were not rushing to curry favor with this young scholar who was in the limelight and who was about to have a good future, the people in the lobby were different. Many people were Come and raise a glass of congratulations.
The scholar who had never enjoyed such a battle was dizzy, and the waves of flattery made him feel elated.
Fortunately, his experience of always being ignored and being a lowly child, and his ability to know the true situation, prevented him from becoming arrogant in an instant, and he continued to remain humble.
But this gesture just hit people's preference and praise for humility, so they praised it even more.
When Young Master Long came to the lobby to propose a toast on behalf of his father and mother, he also had a drink with him alone.
"I didn't expect you to have such ability. Thank you very much for what happened today!"
"Da Lang, you're welcome." The scholar hesitated for a moment, then plucked up the courage and said, "Da Lang, I have two good friends. I have always admired Da Lang and want to get acquainted with them, but I have no way to meet them."
Xia Jingyun and Chen Fugui stood up, cupped their hands and said, "I've heard for a long time that Mr. Long is a chivalrous and righteous man. I wonder if I might be lucky enough to get to know him."
Mr. Long drank some wine and now he had a good impression of the scholar. He was quite polite when he heard the words, "It's easy to say. I won't have any free time today. Please come to my house to talk about it tomorrow."
Xia Jingyun held up his hand and said, "Young Master Long is indeed very brave, so I'll come back and bother you again tomorrow!"
"Easy to say, easy to say!"
The banquet ended in such a cheerful and entertaining atmosphere.
As a local official, Bai Xianzun was so dizzy after drinking that he couldn't tell the difference between east, west and north. He was stuffed into a sedan and carried back.
Chen Fugui looked at the sedan chair that was going away and whispered: "Master, do you think Mr. Bai is so indulgent because he saw you and relied on you?"
Xia Jingyun turned to look at him, "Are you afraid that I won't complain to him! Okay, that's as you wish. I'll tell him in two days!"
Chen Fugui quickly handed over his hands: "Sir! I was wrong!"
"Brothers, what are you talking about?"
While they were chatting, the scholar came out with a cheerful face and said with a smile: "Thanks to you two brothers for what happened today. If you have nothing to do, why don't you go to the humble residence to talk about it?"
Xia Jingyun, who was about to find an identity to hide, smiled and held his hands, "I have my wish, but I don't dare to invite you!"
So, the three of them walked towards the scholar's home.
Most people talk about a humble abode with a bit of self-effacement, but the humble abode that this dear friend talks about is really lacking in quality.
The layout of the house is similar to the small courtyard Xia Jingyun rented in Jiang'an County when he was first released from the labor camp.
Moreover, the family lacked the control of parents and sisters, giving off a sense of lifelessness.
It is no exaggeration to say that with Xia Jingyun's observation skills, he can easily reconstruct the scholar's extremely monotonous life in the room through the light and heavy traces of dust in the room.
"My father died on the river at an early age, and my mother fell ill from worry and died last year. When I am dying, I only hope that I can pass the provincial examination and be selected as a candidate."
The scholar led Xia Jingyun and Chen Fugui to sit down at the table, explained a few words, then stood up and bowed solemnly, "It is all thanks to these two brothers that I am able to have such an opportunity today, and I hope to fulfill my mother's last wish and fulfill my lifelong ambition. I am so grateful that I can’t express my gratitude in words. Please accept it and bow down!”
There was no one around, and with the help of alcohol, the surging emotions in his heart poured out without any hindrance.
Xia Jingyun stood up with a smile and supported the other person, "Little brother, there is no need to be polite. You and I are just in the right place. We each get what we need. What you get depends on your courage. I can only help you."
The three of them chatted for a while and said nothing more. The scholar drank a lot of wine and was drunk, so the three of them went to rest first.
Sitting in the dusty room, Chen Fugui fetched water and wiped the tables and chairs, then glanced outside the door, closed the door, and whispered: "Master, what should we do next?"
Xia Jingyun sat down on the chair and muttered: "Our top priority now is to find out the reason for the Cao Gang's change. According to the information we have, the largest force in Longshou Prefecture is of course the Xiao family led by the prefect Xiao Fengshan, and Because of the relationship between the Xiao family and the prince, and combined with the prince's current delicate situation, it is likely that the Xiao family was behind the Cao Gang's sudden change."
He silently rubbed the corners of his clothes with his fingers, "If it is the Xiao family, it means that the Xiao family has different intentions, and this matter is serious. However, the Ye family of the Cao Gang has been in power for many years. If there are no additional changes and benefits that they cannot refuse, They have no motive for rebellion. And if it was the Ye family who instigated it, the noise would be much louder than it is now, so I prefer that the Xiao family or other forces lured the opposition of the Ye family, which is now the young faction of the Cao Gang. .”
"The words of the fifth elder today seem to have quite profound meaning. Measuring the height of the house where the third elder is standing may actually be a warning to the third elder to consider the capabilities of the Cao Gang or the Ye family to which he is attached. Nowadays Can you survive this chaos?"
"If this is the logic, we can boldly assume that compared to the original elders, the newly promoted fourth elders and fifth elders are young and inexperienced, and lack strength. Youth means ambition and lack of strength. They have the ambition to expand their strength. Therefore, they accepted secret support from some quarters. Perhaps it was the Xiao family of Xiao Fengshan, or perhaps some other force. They wanted to take advantage of the current political decline and the weakening of the central government's control over the local area. Opportunity to incite those in the Cao Gang who want to disrupt the original order to do something."
"If the hypothesis is correct, then by following the Fifth Elder's line, we can find out what we want to know, eliminate hidden dangers, and complete the mission assigned by His Majesty."
Chen Fugui said softly: "But we haven't connected with the Fifth Elder yet."
"It doesn't matter." Xia Jingyun shook his head, "At least get in touch with Mr. Long first."
He smiled and said, "Judging from today's situation, Mr. Long and his father should know a lot of inside information. Let's find out their information first, and then we can take the next step in a targeted manner."
Chen Fugui also laughed, "It looks like our journey has been quite smooth. We have easily established a connection with the big shots in the Cao Gang. From now on, we just need to follow the clues."
Xia Jingyun waved his hand, "It's still early, I just have a direction."
He said this, but the relaxed smile on his face still betrayed his heart.
That night, the two chatted with the scholar who had sobered up for a while, and then went to bed early.
The next day, the scholar accompanied Xia Jingyun and Chen Fugui to Long Mansion again.
Xia Jingyun and the others had to go to yesterday's appointment, and he wanted to show his face again to let the third elder fulfill yesterday's promise.
The three of them walked slowly, all with good longings in mind, feeling that they all had a bright future.
But when the three of them arrived outside Long's Zhuangzi, they were suddenly stunned by the sight in front of them.
I saw Zhuangzi, who was full of joy and lanterns yesterday, but one night later, it was actually covered with white flags.
The desolate white entanglement created a deserted sadness, and also filled the dilated pupils of the three people standing in front of Zhuangzi with shock.
Xia Jingyun walked up and found a servant in the mansion, "Excuse me, I came to visit you today at the invitation of Mr. Long. I wonder what happened in your mansion?"
The man glanced at Xia Jingyun and waved his hand, "Why are you inviting me? My young master is already dead!"
! ! !
Xia Jingyun seemed to have been hit in the head and was stunned on the spot.
——
At this moment, in the county government lobby, Bai Yunbian was sitting on a chair, rubbing his temples with a headache.
The county magistrate on the side began to persuade, "Sir, be careful! This is the Ye family after all!"
The captain stood aside with a knife on his waist, looking quite nervous, "Sir, if you act like this, I will deeply hate the Ye family, and it will not end well in the future!"
Bai Yunbian looked at the two of them, "Is it possible that because the Ye family is so powerful, the county has to pretend to be deaf and dumb? Now that there are both witnesses and material evidence, the county is indifferent, let alone convicted, and even arrested the person. If you don’t dare, how should the people under your rule view this county? Who will take the orders of this county seriously in the future? Wouldn’t it be more difficult to convince the public? Even more difficult to end?”
The two Weiwei couldn't help but look at each other, with a bit of helplessness in their eyes.
What the county magistrate said makes sense. This matter is indeed a dilemma. How could Mr. Ye leave so much evidence of crime!
Bai Yunbian picked up the confession in his hand again and frowned at it.
What happened is no longer a secret in the county.
Last night, Ye Mingfeng, the son of the leader of the Cao Gang who had delayed his return due to traveling, arrived in Chuning County to make up for the congratulatory gifts to the Long family on behalf of his family.
Naturally, Mr. Long was entrusted by his father and hosted a banquet for Mr. Ye. Also at the table was the second son of the Hu family, the head of the dragon, who came to Chu Ning with Ye Mingfeng.
The three of them each brought their entourage to the Baihua Tower, the best brothel in Chuning County, to have a drink.
Although Chuning is only a county town, due to the Caobang, the catering and entertainment industries are extremely prosperous, which is no worse than that of the state capital. The three young masters had a great time.
According to the confessions of the servants and attendants at Baihualou, the three young men first drank with the courtesans, and then perhaps wanted to chat about some insider information, then they dismissed the attendants and the courtesans, leaving only the three of them in the room. Drink and laugh.
After drinking for a while, Mr. Hu felt that he was too drunk, and because he was worried about the courtesan and was eager to find a place to visit, he hurried upstairs excitedly and fired his gun like a dragon.
Only Mr. Ye and Mr. Long were left in the room, continuing to drink and chat in secret.
According to the entourage, at that time, there were still bursts of laughter in the room from time to time.
But after a while, the attendants outside heard the sound of tables and chairs overturning, and hurriedly entered the room, where they saw Mr. Long with a dagger stuck in his chest, dying from his breath.
Mr. Ye stood staggeringly in the room, with blood stains on his hands.
When the big shot died and the Baihua Building exploded, Mr. Hu rushed downstairs without even raising his pants. He was dumbfounded when he saw this scene.
Ye Mingfeng, who was frightened and woke up, fled back to the house directly under the escort of his entourage.
Based on this confession and the facts of the case, if the county government does not arrest people, it seems that it will be difficult to convince the public.
Bai Yunbian watched for a while, then slapped the table, "Seal the city gate, order the people, and follow me to Ye's house!"
The county magistrate and the captain looked at each other, without any further dissuasion, and went to make arrangements separately.
In fact, they also wanted to see who was more powerful, the dragon crossing the river, who was said to have the support of the imperial envoy, or the huge local snake of the Ye family.
When a group of dozens of soldiers and government servants, carrying sharp swords and led by Bai Yunbian, walked through the streets, the residents and gentry who knew what happened today knew where their destination was.
So with curiosity and excitement, I followed silently from a distance.
Among the crowd, Chen Fugui and Xia Jingyun also looked at the figure beside the white clouds. Chen Fugui whispered: "Master, do you want it?"
Xia Jingyun shook his head, "It doesn't matter, he has a good reputation and no one can find fault with him. It's just a matter of seeing how deep the water is. Let's go."
The two of them left against the flow of people and came to a restaurant, where they ordered a few dishes and sat down.
Listening to the noisy discussions around him, Xia Jingyun silently pondered in his mind.
After hearing the news of Mr. Long's death, his first reaction was that his identity had been discovered and the other party had killed him in order to cut off the connection between him and Mr. Long.
But then I thought about it, there are many ways to prevent this, so why use such a decisive method of killing.
Then they went to the street to inquire about the news, and then basically learned the situation.
After all, this happened in public at Baihua Tower. Although the rumors were somewhat distorted, such as the presence of more undressed oirans in the room, the core content remained the same, and that was Young Master Ye. Kill Young Master Long.
Xia Jingyun naturally felt that there were many doubts in it, and there was nothing wrong with his thinking.
But he has never met the so-called Young Master of the Ye family, and is not familiar with his character, so he cannot make any judgments. Now that Master Baiyun has gone to investigate the case with a reputation, it is just an opportunity to test the Ye family's background and find out the inside story of the Cao Gang. .
Mr. Long's line is broken, so we can only place our hope on this end.
After several meals, he called Chen Fugui and went straight to Baihua Tower.
On the other side, Bai Yunbian arrived outside the Ye family mansion.
Looking at the high-walled courtyard and closed gates in front of them, as if facing the prestige that the Ye family has accumulated for many years between the two Huaihe Rivers, many government officials and soldiers had hesitation in their eyes.
Bai Yunbian ignored this and directly ordered the captain to call the door.
The captain pressed the door knocker for a long time, but no one answered, so he had no choice but to turn his head and look at the white clouds.
Behind you are the crowd of onlookers, and in front of you is the closed courtyard of the wealthy family. I am afraid that my group will be in trouble today and be embarrassed!
But Baiyunbian had never been afraid of such a battle. The situation that others were afraid of was a good time for him to stand out and establish his authority.
So he snorted coldly, stepped forward, took a deep breath, and said with full force: "People in the mansion, listen, I am Bai Yunbian, the magistrate of Chuning County, who is here to apprehend the suspect. I order you to open the door quickly and count down. If you don't open the door after ten calls, it will be regarded as a rebellion against the government, and the door will be stormed. Don't say it was unforeseen!"
"one!"
He raised his chest and raised his head, stood proudly, and shouted the first number loudly!
Following this sound, the atmosphere in the venue suddenly became tense.
"two!"
The door of the mansion was still closed, as if he didn't care about the threat from the white clouds.
"three!"
The two doors remained motionless, and there was a condescending indifference and mockery in the silence.
"Four!"
Many people had expressions of ascertainment in their eyes, shaking their heads and sighing. The Ye Jiagui was recognized as one of the four major families in Longshou Prefecture, so how could they take the threat of a county magistrate seriously.
"five!"
At this moment, Bai Yunbian is like a stupid and passionate lonely fighter, fearlessly confronting a seemingly invincible behemoth!
"six!"
The county captain moved slightly, wondering if he should dissuade the county commander and give him a step down.
"Seven! Captain Cao, pass my order and mobilize troops to surround Ye Mansion!"
The captain swallowed his saliva, knowing that he was worrying too much. Then, under Bai Yunbian's cold eyes, he gritted his teeth and ordered his soldiers to pass on the order!
"Eight! Divide twenty people into groups of four and prepare to climb the wall!"
The onlookers were dumbfounded. Is this serious?
"Nine! The remaining officers and officers, draw your swords!"
Uh-huh!
Bai Yunbian shouted angrily, and everyone pulled out their knives.
In this neat and terrifying sound of drawing the sword, the door of Ye Mansion finally slowly opened a gap.
I was delayed for a while last night. I will try my best to write it today and update at the normal time tomorrow.
or2
(End of chapter)
